The Department of Environmental and Biosystems Engineering participated in the Africa Engineering Week on 4th September 2014. The event was organized by UNESCO, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) and the School of Engineering, University of Nairobi.

Group photo of Participants at the Africa Engineering Week

The event was officially opened by NACOSTI CEO, Dr. Moses K. Rugutt, at the Civil Engineering Lecture theatre, School of Engineering.

Africa Engineering Week aims at educating youth and the general public about engineering through outreach activities such as educational workshops, public awareness events, mentoring activities and University events that show how engineers are key players in the solutions to important global challenges, such as climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The shortage of engineers is a major concern in Africa and across the world where there has been declining interest and enrolment of young people, especially women. Engineering is vital to addressing basic human needs, improving the quality of life and creating opportunities for sustainable development on a local, regional, national and global level. More young people need to choose engineering as a career and making that choice depends on access to the necessary Science, Mathematics, Technology, and Engineering (STEM) curriculum as well as having access to effective guidance, communications and role models.